Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sep 23: House Republicans put forth "A Pledge to America," which they said is "a new governing agenda built by listening to the American people and focused on addressing their top priorities  including creating jobs, cutting spending, and changing the way Congress works." This new governing agenda was unveiled during a press event at Tart Lumber Company, a family-owned small business located in Sterling, VA. Republicans stressed that this governing agenda could be implemented right now if President Obama and Democratic Leaders would allow it, and called for action before Congress adjourns.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said, "Across America, the people see a government in Washington that isn't listening, doesn't get it, and doesn't care. Today, that begins to change. This new governing agenda, built by listening to the people, offers plans to create jobs, cut spending, and put power where it belongs: in the hands of the people. 'A Pledge to America' offers a new way forward that hasn't been tried in Washington: an approach focused on cutting spending instead of accelerating spending, and eliminating uncertainty for the private-sector innovators and entrepreneurs who create jobs. These are the solutions the American people are demanding, and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid should act on them before Congress adjourns for the fall."

A preamble to the Pledge indicates, "In a self-governing society, the only bulwark against the power of the state is the consent of the governed, and regarding the policies of the current government, the governed do not consent. An unchecked executive, a compliant legislature, and an overreaching judiciary have combined to thwart the will of the people and overturn their votes and their values, striking down longstanding laws and institutions and scorning the deepest beliefs of the American people. An arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites makes decisions, issues mandates, and enacts laws without accepting or requesting the input of the many. Rising joblessness, crushing debt, and a polarizing political environment are fraying the bonds among our people and blurring our sense of national purpose. . ."

Among other items the Pledge calls for: "stopping all tax hikes, reining in red tape, and repealing ObamaCare's '1099 mandate.'"; "cutting government spending to pre-'stimulus', pre-bailout levels, imposing a hard cap on future discretionary spending, and ending TARP once and for all"; "implementing 'read the bill' reform, allowing for more open and fair debate, and requiring that every bill contain a citation of Constitutional authority"; "repeal and replace the job-killing health care law with common-sense reforms focused on lowering costs and protecting American jobs"; and "passing clean troop funding bills, keeping terrorists off American soil, and fully funding missile defense."

Within the 48-page Pledge details, Republicans say: "We will fight to increase access to domestic energy sources and oppose attempts to impose a national 'cap and trade' energy tax. . . The constant threat of new taxes and new regulations prevents investors and entrepreneurs from putting capital at risk. These private sector employers must be given the certainty that if they take a risk to expand their company or hire a new employee, Washington won't yank the rug from under their feet. . .

"Excessive federal regulation is a de facto tax on employers and consumers that stifles job creation, hampers innovation and postpones investment in the economy. When the game is always changing, small businesses cannot properly plan for the

future. To provide stability, we will require congressional approval of any new federal regulation that has an annual cost to our economy of $100 million or more. . ."

Nadeam Elshami, spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, issued a statement saying, "Congressional Republicans are pledging to ship jobs overseas; blow a $700 billion hole in the deficit to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires; turn Social Security from a guaranteed benefit into a guaranteed gamble; once again, subject American families to the recklessness of Wall Street; and take away patients' rights. Republicans want to return to the same failed economic policies that hurt millions of Americans and threatened our economy.

"Democrats will protect Social Security, give tax cuts to the middle class and help the middle class through our 'Make it in America' manufacturing strategy. Ironically, the Republican Party that voted against small business tax cuts enacted into law by this Congress is actually holding its press event at a small business just outside Washington and then racing back presumably to vote against the Small Business Jobs Act, which is crucial to get small businesses hiring."